“We had Chef Jay prepare dinner for two and he was awesome! He was very professional and cordial, and we had a great culinary and educational experience. The food was fantastic and the dessert to die for! We will definitely be calling upon Chef Jay again!”

While in Kauai, my wife and I attended a traditional Luau.  The entertainers told a story of the voyage of some of the first Polynesians to venture across the ocean to settle the islands of Hawaii.  We were treated to a great story, amazing dancing and music as well as athletic acrobatics and fire throwing.  Most importantly, we were able to sample a plethora of local fare.

The menu was preset and it was a buffet.  There were many different salads to choose from including a salmon and tomato salad that was outstanding.  We of course partook in the freshest pineapple, mango and papaya I have ever eaten, and as we continued down the bountiful array, we were treated to a stir fry of vegetables with coconut broth, poached mahi mahi, garlic infused purple sweet potatoes and, the highlight, a roasted whole pig.  The pork was so tender and moist it nearly melted in my mouth.

Dessert was a decedent display of rum cake, coconut panna cotta and a chocolate caramel tart all portioned in two bite samples.  We topped off the evening with Mai Tai’s and a magnificent performance. Mahalo!!

Last week my wife and I took a weeks vacation to Kauai.  We stayed on Poipu Beach and took in some local sites, sunny beaches and delicious food.  We started off by going to a local golf course breakfast place…it was OK.  I admit I should have tried something different on the menu, but I lived with my choice.  In the coming days, we struck gold.  After touring the Kauai Coffee Plantation, we enjoyed a local favorite…The Brick Oven Pizza.  We enjoyed a whole wheat crust medium with Canadian Bacon and Mushroom pizza that rivals some of the best I have ever had….growing up in Upstate New York, that’s saying something!  I grilled some pork chops that night and we shared a green bean and potato salad…one of my wife’s favorites.  The Condo we stayed in had a grill and I was happy to use it.

In the coming days we enjoyed seared Ahi tacos from a local taco stand, garlic shrimp from a roadside shrimp truck, some locally made white chocolate-lavender gelato , a local delicacy known as a Puka Dog (a polish sausage with a spicy aïoli and a starfruit relish), a shaved ice from Jo Jo’s,  and we finished the trip with a delicious meal at a local restaurant…Casablanca.  They have something for everyone and everything is handmade.  I enjoyed a perfectly grilled filet mignon with garlic whipped mashed potatoes, green beans and a balsamic demi glace.  I washed it all down with the bartender’s specialty, a basil mojito.

It was a wonderful trip with great experiences and delectable food and was truly sorry to say aloha.